The state government is encouraging young families to enrol their children and to talk to their local kindergarten service about enrolment processes and timelines.

In Victoria, Free Kinder is available for three and four-year-olds at participating services, including sessional kindergartens and long day-care centres.

With Free Kinder, children enrolled in Three-Year-Old Kindergarten receive between five and 15 hours of funded learning each week, and those in Four-Year-Old Kindergarten receive 15 hours per week.

Research shows that play-based learning is a powerful way to support a child’s development, with two years of quality kindergarten having greater impact on children who start at three years of age rather than four. The benefits are even greater for children experiencing vulnerability or who need extra support.

To ensure a kindergarten meets their needs, families are encouraged to organise a time to visit so they can see the service, its staff and the children in attendance. Families should also look for a Kinder Tick, so they can be confident their child is attending a funded kindergarten program.

Families with children born between January and April can choose the year in which they start Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. These children can start in the same year they turn three or in the year they turn four. If unsure, speak to your local service about the best time for your child to start kindergarten.

Parents can find kindergarten services near them by visiting vic.gov.au/kinder.

Bass Coast Shire Council is now taking registrations for 2024 and you can register online at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/community-support-services/children-and-parents/register-your-child-for-3-or-4-year-old-kindergarten

Call the Kindergarten Registration Team on 1300 226 278 or 03 5671 2211 to request a hard copy kindergarten information pack.